It is worthwhile to understand the history of political theory in order to understand the role of police. Police are a central foundation of modern societies, and their absence may enable anarchy. 

Tayyeb Shah explores Asia's rising academic influence, consequences of COVID-19 on education, and possible ways forward from the crisis.

Since the start of the Trump era, the United States and the Western world has finally begun to wake up to the threat of online warfare and the attacks from Russia. The question no one seems to be able to answer is: what can the West do about it?

The Tokyo 2020 Olympics have been postponed until next July, but they may not be held at all. Given the current pandemic malaise, Olympic hoopla could be just what the world needs, but the exorbitant cost of postponing the games has tempered enthusiasm in Japan.

Somewhat predictably, given the close results of the 2017 New Zealand election, no party has a safe path to victory this year. Thus, prospective leaders' abilities to manage their campaigns, their parties, and the perception that they could manage the government will be under great scrutiny.

For nine years, the civil wars in Syria, Libya, and Yemen have caused massive casualty numbers, destruction, and refugee outflows, with hunger and economic collapse facing those who remain – three of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Now the pandemic is exacting an even greater toll.

This week in Australian foreign policy: Morrison’s phone call with Trump, concerns about Russian intrusion into COVID-19 vaccine development, and changes to international student visas.

The politics of central banking are set to explode with the unprecedented spending of the COVID-19 era. Increasing demand for public spending, on top of already high levels of debt, will make governments look favourably on a burst of debt reducing inflation and put them on a collision course with central banks.

Hun Manet looks set to become heir apparent to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. With Cambodia's democratic future hanging in the balance, many questions arise about the future of the prime ministership. 

Europe must assert its influence in the western Balkans to reduce the leverage of regional authoritarian powers. A more active presence in the region would advance the European Union's objective for a free and  peaceful Europe.